For Burlington's 3rd of July, a really, really big flag

Jun. 28, 2011

Firefighters from the Boise Fire Department anchor the bottom of an American flag as it is raised by the boom on a ladder track during a ceremony at the Idaho fallen Firefighters Memorial on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 in Boise, Idaho. Known as The Patriot Flag, this 30' x 55' banner is touring the country being displayed in all 50 states in 50 weeks before flying over Shanksville, Penn., the Pentagon and New York City on Sept. 11, 2011—the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. / AP Photo / Idaho Press-Tribune, Charlie Litchfield

Written by

Elliot deBruyn, Free Press Staff Writer

This year, Burlington will celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, face painting and a 1,665-square-foot American flag.

The attractions for this year's show are similar to past years, with an air show, stilt performers, live music and a vaudeville act, but the massive national flag is a new addition.

The 30-foot by 55.5-foot Patriot Flag has been displayed around the country for the past eight months, said Thomas Middleton, the New England regional coordinator for the project.

The flag was donated to World Memorial, a nonprofit group dedicated to memorializing the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, by the Escondido Auto Park Association in California. The flag was made to honor a World War II veteran at his funeral in Escondido, but was donated last August after the idea to bring it around the country was formed. By the time it reaches Burlington, it will have visited 43 states, according to the Patriot Flag website.

The flag is scheduled to visit 50 states in 50 weeks, ending in New York City, Pennsylvania and Virginia to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

It will visit Burlington at 1 p.m. Sunday for a flag raising ceremony at Waterfront Park.

The city's annual celebration takes place Sunday at several waterfront locations. Mari Steinbach, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, said water levels were a major concern during the planning stages, but worries are quickly disappearing as the date nears.

However, Burlington Superintendent of Recreation Maggie Leugers said a repeat of last year's daytime fireworks show is unlikely because of water levels. For the first time in 2010, the city hosted a fireworks show before sunset. The daytime fireworks are to be shot off from the breakwater, but if that's underwater, the show won't happen, Leugers said. (The nighttime show is set off from a different location.)

For the fireworks at 9:30 p.m., the city has hired the same company as last year, Atlas PyroVision Productions. A pyrotechnics company spokesperson said the cost of production is the same as last year at roughly $40,000. That price tag is covered by the same sponsors (Pomerleau Real Estate, Price Chopper and People's United Bank), Leugers said.

Events will take place at four locations in Burlington -- Perkins Pier, Waterfront Park, the Burlington Boathouse and Battery Park -- starting around noon and ending with a nighttime fireworks show over Burlington Harbor.

Because a large crowd is expected, the city is offering a park and ride service from Gutterson Field House at the University of Vermont on Spear Street. Round-trip fee is $1 and the shuttle will run until 11:30 p.m. Parking is also available at downtown garages and the College Street Shuttle will run until 9 p.m. Traffic on side streets will be restricted.